Berkeley Prep’s Mackenzie Dagostino, left, pounds the ball over the outstretched hands of Martin County’s Lauren Brinskelle during the championship match of the Tampa Bay Invitational. Dagostino, a setter, had 10 kills and 32 assists, but the Buccaneers lost to a Florida school for the first time this year in 20 such matches.

"Our goal was to win every match against teams from Florida," Burgess said. "It was really important to us."

Berkeley Prep (19-3), which is ranked No. 15 nationally by Prepvolleyball.com and had lost only to two out-of-state teams this fall, didn't play poorly Saturday. The Buccaneers just had no answer for 6-foot-5 middle blocker Elise Walch, who has committed to Wisconsin.

By match's end, Walch had 24 kills, many of which either sparked a Martin County rally or thwarted one by Berkeley Prep. Walch, who recorded her 1,000th career kill during the event, also had six blocks.

Their teammates weren't bad, either. Martin County (21-1), which has lost only to Plant this season and is ranked 45th, received serve well, passed even better and was solid defensively for most of the match, particularly during the crucial points.

A sophomore who might already be the state's top performer, she led all players with 26 kills and dazzled the standing-room-only crowd at the University of Tampa Bob Martinez Center with several diving digs.